Airplane



Dec. 20, 1932. R. E. GUTHI ER 1,891,812

' AIRPLANE Filed Aug. 10, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 20, 1932. R. E. GUTHIER 1,391,312

AIRPLANE Filed Aug. 10. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Z72 '12 2 0): 02 )5 Ciuf/Y (e7: 51 V Patented Dec. 20, 1932 UNITED STATES VPATENT OFFICE BOY E. GUTHIEB, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOF. TO GUTHIER AIRPLANE COMPANY, I A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS AIRPLANE Application filed August 10, 1931. Serial No. 556,282.

The invention relates to airplanes, and the primary object of the invention is to provide improved airplanes of such construction that the flight characteristics thereof may be changed or adjusted while they are in flight or when they are about to take off.

One form of the invention is embodied in an airplane comprising ailerons pivoted at the trailing edges of the wings. A system of levers and cables operatively connects the ailerons to the joy stick of the airplane so that it may be manipulated to displace the aileron on one wing downwardly and on the other wing upwardly or vice versa, de-

pending upon the direction in which the aviator wishes to turn or upon the direction in which he wishes to roll the plane around the longitudinal axis thereof. Incorporated in the system of levers and cables-extending between the ailerons and the joy stick is improved means whereby the ailerons may be angularly displaced in the same direction around their pivotal axes when the aviator wishes to change the flight characteristics of the plane. In this latter position they are employed to obtain a flap action. The con struction is such that the airfoil characteristics may be adjusted or'changed to develop flap action while the plane is in flight or when it is about to take off. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the ailerons may be angularly displaced in the same direction around their pivotal axes to develop flap action and when it is so desired the joy stick may be manipulated simultaneously to displace one of the ailerons in one direction and the other in the other direction. at any time simultaneously control the rolling of the machine and its flap action or he may roll the machine without changingflap action, and then again he may develop flap action without rolling the machine.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, relatively simple controls are provided for the ailerons. The construction is such that the aviator may control the flight characteristics of the machine with his left hand while he is manipulating the joy stick 60 with his'right hand.

In other words, the aviator may embodying the invention and provided with relatively small wing areas have the same or slower landing and take off speeds as convent-ion airplanes with larger wing areas. Still another feature of the invention is that airplanes in which it is embodied have slower landing speeds and therefore are easier and safer to operate.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the following detailed description progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a plan view, partly broken away, of an airplane which embodies the invention.

' Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the frame work 7 of the improved airplane, the wing nearest to the observer having been omitted.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the ailerons and the aileron controls forming parts of the improved airplane.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line H of Figure 2. w

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of mechanism for controlling the ailerons and Fig. 7 is a section taken .on line 7 7 of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings wherein apreferred form of the inventionis illustrated, the reference character 10 designates generally the frame-work of an airplane which is of conventional construction except as herelnafter set forth. The airplane is provided with the usual motor 11, landing gear 12', rudder 13, etc., and also comprises wings 14 and 15 which are provided with ailerons 16 and 17 respectively.

The ailerons 16 and 17 are pivoted at their lower forward edges to the wings 14 and 15, respectively, by hinges 19, or the equivalent, for the purpose. The ailerons may be said to lie normally in a neutral position wherein'they are disposed in the same plane and do not tend to roll the ship around its longitudinal axes. In Figure 5, the aileron 16 is shown inits neutral position by dotted lines. When the ailerons are in their neutral positions, the wing section of each wing is one of l high speed and low drag.

It is understood that if both of the ailerons are lowered or depressed around their pivotal axes, the wings acquire a higher lift and a high drag characteristic. It is also understood that the ailerons may be angularly displaced in opposite directions to roll the machine in any desired manner.

The plane is provided with the usual joy stick 25. In accordance with the usual practice, means such as cables 26 and 27 operatively connect the joy stick with elevators 28 disposed at the tail of the machine. The joy stick 25 may also be manipulated to cause the ailerons 16 and 17 to be displaced in opposite direction when it is so desired.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, it will be noted that the joy stick 25 is pivoted to the forward end of the shaft 30 which, in turn, is

Eivotally mounted in bearings 31 and 32 the earings 31 and 32 being rigidly secured to the frame-work 10. Obviously the joy stick 25 may be oscillated in the plane extending longitudinally of the machine and it may also be oscillated transversely of the machine. The movements of the joy stick 25 in a plane extending longitudinally of the machine control the elevators 28 while the movements of the joy stick in a plane extending transversely of the machine controlling the ailerons 16 and 17.

The means operatively connecting the ailerons 16 and 17 to the joy stick 25 comprises' a lever 33 mounted on and constrained to rotate with the shaft 31). A link 35 connects the free end of the lever 33 with the lower end of a shaft 36 which is slidably j ournaled on a bearing 37. The bearing 37 is rigidly secured to the frame-work 10. Secured to the upper end of the shaft 36 is a disk 39 in which a tubular shaft 40 is rotatably journaled. A tube 42 projects through the tubular shaft 40 and is rigidly secured thereto. Slidably journaled within the tube 42 is a rod 43 which carries a latch member 44 adapted to en age a series of notches 45 formed in the dis 39. The latch member 44 projects through slots 46 cut in the tube 42. A spring 50 disposed in the tube 42 and interposed between the post 43 in a position wherein the latch member 44 will engage one of the notches 45. The rod 43 may be depressed to drive the latch member 44 out of engagement with the notches 45 and when the latch member has disengaged from the notches 45, the tube 42 may be used as a handle whereby the aviator may oscillate tube 42-to oscillate the tubular shaft 40 (see Figures 6 and 7).

A lever 54 is rigidly secured to the tubular shaft 40. One end of the lever 54 is connected by a link 57 to a lever member 58, the other positely disposed arms 60a and 60b.

Rotatably journaled in the frame-work 10 are sheaves 63, 64, and 66 over which cables, hereinafter described, are trained to connect the lever members 58 and 60 with the ailerons 16 and 17, respectively.

Associated with the aileron 16 are a pair of lever members 70 and 71 and associated with the aileron 17 are a pair of lever members 72 and 73. The lever members70, 71, 72 and 73 are pivoted on vertically disposed pins 75, 7 6, 77 and 78, respectively. The vertically. disposed pins 75, 76, 77 and 78 are mounted in the wings 14 and 15 in front of the ailerons 16 and 17, respectively.

Rigid links 80, 81, 82 and 83 connect the ailerons 16 and 17 f'to the lever members 70, 71, 72 and 73 (see Figure 3). Each of the links '80, 81,82 arijd SB is connected to its associated aileronbyn-a' universal joint 85 and is connecte'df'to associated lever member by a universal'joint'86. M

Oppositely disposed arms 7 0a and 70?; provided on the lever 'member 7 O are connected I by cables 90 and 91,.respectively, to oppositely disposed arms 71a and 715 formed on the member PPQSiteIY disposed arms 72a and 725 are connected by'cables 93 and 9;

94, respectively, to oppositely disposed arms by a cable trained over the sheave 63 and the arm 58b is connected to the arm 710 by a cable 101 which is trained over the sheave 66. The arm 60a is connected to the arm 73a by a cable 102 which is trained over the sheave 64 and the arm 60?) is connected to the arm 735 by a cable 103 which is trained over the sheave 65. I

Referring to Figures 1 and 5, it will be noted that the joy stick-25 and the tube handle 42 are arranged adjacent the aviators seat 110 in such manner that the joy stick 25 may be manipulated by the right hand while the tube handle 42 is being angularly displaced by the left hand.

The operation of the above described aileron controls is substantially as follows: assuming that the ailerons 16 and 17 are in their neutral positions so that the wing sections have a low lift and a low drag and assuming gFigure 3), the e displaced in placement of the disk 39 displaces the links 57 and 59 in the same direction and causes the lever members 58 and 60 to be angularly displaced in a clock-wise direction (Figure 5). The cables 100 and 101 will then cause the lever members 70 and 71 to be angularly displaced in a clock-wise direction (Figure 3) and such displacement of the lever members 70 and 71 causes the links 80 and 81 to 19 angularly displace the aileron 16 toraise its trailing edge. The cables 102 and 103 will, at the same time, angularly displace the lever members 7 2 and 73 in a clock-wise direction (Figure 3) and such displacement of these members causes the links 82 and 83 to 8.11gL1-- larly displace the aileron 17 so that its trailing edge will be depressed. i f the joy stick 26 is angularly displaced i'irthe direction of the arrow 6 (Figure 3),

theconnections between the joy stick and the ailerons 16 and 17 will cause'thetrailing edge of the aileron 16 to be depressed and 'will raise the trailing edge of the aileron 17.

. Now, if it is again assumed that the ailero'ns'16 and 17 are in their neutral positions,

it is readily understood that ifvthe joy stick is not displaced, angular displacementgofthe I 'tube handle 42 in a counter clock-wise direction (Figures 3, 5 and6) will cause the link 59"to angularly displace the lever member 60 in a clock-wise direction and will cause the link 57 to angularly displace the lever member 58 in a counter clock-wise direction.

\Vhen the lever 58 is displaced in' a counter clockwise direction, the lever members 70 and are also angularly displacedin a; counter clock-wise direction (Figures ,3, andj6p) and the trailing edge of the aileron' {16 is depressed. The simultaneous "angular"; displacement of the lever member 60 iI 1 '?a I clock-wise direction causes the lever member's 1 172 and 7 3 to be displaced in a ClOCk-WlSdjdi rection so that the links 82 and 83 depress the trailing edge of-the aileron 17.

It is readily understood, therefore ,',that angular displacement of the tube handle 42 in a counter clock-wise direction depresses the ailerons 16 and 17 as a unit and it is readily understood that clock-wise displacement of the tube handle 42 will elevate or raise the trailing edges of the ailerons 16 and 17.

It will also be readily understood that the joy stick 25 and the tube handle 42 may be manipulated simultaneously if it is so,de-

sired. Also, if it is assumed that the tube handle 42 has been manipulated to depress the trailing edges of the ailerons 16 and 17, the joy stick 25' may be manipulated afterwards to elevate one of the ailerons and de- -press the other still farther.

' In operating the airplane, the ailerons 16 and 17 are referably depressed when the machine is a out to take off so that the advantage of a high lifting characteristic of the wings is obtained. If the aviator wishes to turn or bank during the take-off, the joy 'It willqbe readily understood that an air- 7 plane which embodies the inventiommaybe brought out ofa flat spin by depressing the ailerons so that the center lift of the machine travelsto the rear and it becomes noseheavy. in.

In the appended claims, the terms airplane and aircraft are employed in a broadsense to include aircraft of any and all desgriptions. I

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable. of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the 'construetio'n and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims, in which it is my'intention to claim all; novelty inherent in my invention as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

I claim:

;1. An airplane provided with wings, ailerons pivoted to said wings, a joy stick movable in two planes at right angles to each other, means for connecting said joy stick to elevators on the tailof the airplane, a rotata- Ebly mounted member, means operatively eonneetings aid joy stick'to saidrotatably mounted member whereby said joystick may be manipulated to displace said rotatable member in a'plane normal to its axis of rotation, a handle member for rotating said rotatable member,-and means operatively connecting said'rotatable member with said ailerons.

2. An airplane comprising a frame-work, wings extending in opposite sides of said frame-work, ailerons pivoted to said wings, elevator planes mounted on said frame-work, a joy stick operatively connected to said elevator lanes, a rotatable member, means controlled by said joystick for displacing said rotatable member in a'plane normal to its axis of rotation, means for manually rotating said rotatable member, and means operatively connecting said rotatable member with said ably journaled shaft, means operated by said 'oy stick for displacing said shaft along its longitudinal axis, a rotatable member, means carried by said shaft for journalling said 5 rotatable member, a lever fixed to said rotatable member, means operatively connecting one end of said lever to one of said ailerons and means for operatively connecting the other end of said lever to the other aileron.

4. An airplane comprising a body portion,

wings extending on said opposite sides of a said body portion, ailerons pivoted on said wings, a joy stick, means for connecting said joy stick to the elevators of the airplane and means includin cables operatively connected to said joy stick for displacing said ailerons in the same direction relative to said wings.

5. An air lane comprising a body portion, wings extending from said body portion, ailerons pivoted on said wings, elevators at the tail end of said airplane, a joy stick mounted for movement around two pivotal axes at right angles to each other, means for connecting said joy stick to said elevators, a pivoted lever, means operatively connecting said joy stick to said pivoted lever whereby said pivoted lever may be displaced bodily by movement of said joy stick, means operatively connecting said lever to said ailerons, and

manually o erable means for angularly displacing sai lever around its pivotal axes.

6. An airplane comprising a body portion, wings extending from said body portion, ailerons pivoted to said wings, elevators at the tail end of said airplane, a rotatable shaft, a joy stick pivoted to said shaft and adapted to be angularly displaced to rotate said shaft, means 0 ratively connecting said joy stick to said e evators, a lever fixed to said shaft,

a slidably mounted member operatively connected to the free end of said lever, a second lever pivoted to said slidably mounted member, a handle member for angularly displacing said second lever around its pivotal axes,

and means operatively connecting said second lever to said airplane.

7 An airplane comprising a body portion, wings extending from said body portion, ailerons pivotal to said wings, elevators at the tail end of said airplane, a joy stick, means for operatively connecting said joy stick to said elevators, manually o erable means for angularly displacing said ailerons in the same direction relative to said wings, means operatively connecting said manually operable means to said ailerons, and means controlled by said joy stick for bodily displacing said manually controlled means to angularly displace said ailerons in opposite directions.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 29th day of July, 1931.

ROY E. GUTHIER. 

